Thread: A bit of research finding me still clueless

I started becoming interested in straight razor shaving only a couple days ago. After reading through the wiki I started to look for my first razor but even now I'm drawing a blank. The first thing I did without knowing anything was to research different brands and varieties of soviet razors (I am huge into soviet/Russian/Slavic culture and history, so a part of me gravitated towards this. The first thing I found of decent-seeming quality was a vintage Trud razor. It had very minor rust, however not being on the actual blade. The first concern I developed was a couple of very small nicks in the blade, that could possibly be honed out of it (?). The second blade was actually a kit, that came with strop, brush with stand, and a bowl, along with a Gold Doller 66 razor. My concern with this, was that I've read some bad testimonials for the brand of blade, and the seller claimed it needed to be honed and stropped as well. The third (and final) blade was in a similar kit on a website called Whipped Dog. It was a sight unseen deal, which comes with a Straight razor with cosmetic, non-shaving flaws and Poor Man strop kit. The main concern here is that I don't actually even see the razor I'm buying, and I do not know the credibility of this website. Would anyone here be able to address my concerns? I'll also note that all three buys are of very same price, and that without a strop (if I bought the soviet razor), I have found a DIY strop page on this site, and that none of the deals come with proper tools for honing.

The first is going to end up costing you a lot more money in the long run. It is going to need to be sent out for honing. And depending on how bad the nicks are may need a major overhaul.

The gold dollar deals are normally not the best. I like the gold dollar blades unlike most here but they do require a lot of work to make shave ready and not great for a new shaver. They are better for people wanting a to learn how to restore/ modifying a razor. The strops that normal come in those typically are not very good.

The third option whippeddog.com is a good deal and well know site. The owner of the site is a member here. Many, including myself, start into straight shaving with his razor kits.

Originally Posted by Castel33

The third option whippeddog.com is a good deal and well know site. The owner of the site is a member here. Many, including myself, start into straight shaving with his razor kits.

Very big thanks, sir. I only have one more question, if anyone could give input.

•$25 - Straight razor with cosmetic, non-shaving flaws
•$38 - Straight razor
•$46 - Straight razor with cosmetic, non-shaving flaws and Poor Man strop kit
•$55 - Straight razor and Poor Man strop kit

The $55 deal is the most expensive, but the $46 deal offers much more..? And what do you think is covered with "Non-shaving flaws" and "cosmetic"?

Larry has some great deals, and is a great guy to deal w/, he will make sure you are happy if you email him and tell him what you are looking for. Stay away from the gold dollars, they are cheap steel w/ poor quality control standards and most have had to grind the shoulders down just to make it shave (note I didn't say shave well). Larry's cosmetic flaws usually are: patina on the blade, tang, or spine (some actually like the antique look it gives), scales may be scratched, scuffed, or faded, the razor may not closed perfectly centered in the scales. He doesn't restore the razors; he cleans, disinfects them, removes any active rust or gunk, hones and strops them, and sells them. You are basically getting something you would get on ebay to restore that's already shave ready, with no work on your part that's why his deals are so low priced.

Originally Posted by Castel33

The third option whippeddog.com is a good deal and well know site. The owner of the site is a member here. Many, including myself, start into straight shaving with his razor kits.

Very big thanks, sir. I only have one more question, if anyone could give input.

•$25 - Straight razor with cosmetic, non-shaving flaws
•$38 - Straight razor
•$46 - Straight razor with cosmetic, non-shaving flaws and Poor Man strop kit
•$55 - Straight razor and Poor Man strop kit

The $55 deal is the most expensive, but the $46 deal offers much more..? And what do you think is covered with "Non-shaving flaws" and "cosmetic"?

The $55 dollar deal and the $46 dollar deal are basically the same.

With $55 dollar deal you will get a razor that is not a show piece but if in the future you wanted to make it so it would not be that hard.

With $46 dollar one you get a razor that is pretty beat up but is still a shaver. If you later decide to make it a show piece it would take a lot of work.

Personally I would go with the 55 dollar one. But ether will get you where you want to be.

I purchased the $46 kit from Whippeddog. The scales were perfect and the whole razor was in excellent working condition. The blade was not a pretty mirror finish, but it shaves great. I just took it in to get it honed from a fellow shaving gent, and he said the razor is in great condition, it's just not a pretty or as sexy as a new one. When I bought my razor I went as cheap as I could to see if I liked it. And I like it. My advice is get the $46 kit and get the extra strop. I nicked my first strop up pretty quick until I got my technique down.

I can wholeheartedly recommend whipped dog. Larry is great and will answer any question you have and is eagar to communicate. The razors are cheap but good quality and professionally honed. I have made 4 purchases through him and could not be more happy. As long as you get an idea of the size and steel you need in my opinion looks dont really matter as long as they shave well. All of Larrys razors are vintage which I like. Perfect start for a beginner. I also recommend an extra strop as you will probably nick yours up a bit at first.

As a beginner the only issue you should be worried about is this: Is the razor shave ready and done by a competent honer? If you purchase a non-shave-ready razor, you will have to invest substantial sums into hones, lapping stones or lapping hones, learn the techniques of honing and then learn how to strop. Or, for $25 to $30, you can send the razor out for honing. So add those costs into to your calculations. Also, you will have to wait for the razor to get to you, send it off for honing and wait for its return.

With a shave ready razor you are up and running the day it arrives. Of course, you need a brush, shaving soap/cream and the likes which can be cheap or expensive. I have heard nothing but favorable things about Whipped Dog. But here is my recommendation: Lynn, the founder of SRP, sells complete shave ready razor kits that includes everything you need. I do not have the link for his site but maybe another member will jump in and post it. Since you are fretting over $9 between two different options, I doubt you will take my advice to consider spending $125 dollars. I will honestly like to hear back about the path you took and see what you actually invested in the long run.

All the best with your decision,
Randy

Larry is awesome!
I'm gonna get my first "shave ready" razor in the mail from him soon (i've bought like 9 others on ebay coz I want to have lots of honing practise when my naniwa stones arrive) and Larry has been very helpful in getting me started. He's always happy to answer any questions I have whether they are to do with his business or not, I always get a prompt response from him. He clearly does not run the site whippeddog.com for the money and this is obvious when you see that he says "Do not hesitate to tell me that I have charged you too much I am more concerned with your satisfaction than making profit"
will post pics of the razor when it arrives probably this week sometime.

Also tell us what part of the world you're in. I've found a few local members already and I'm meeting up with one of them who's going to be showing me how to hone razors.